Wordplay
Also called: pun or pun
Word play is a collective term for playing with language. Wordplay often involves using words with different meanings or creative combinations, interchanges or twists of words. Wordplay is usually used as a figure of speech to make a text funny.
In advertising, puns are often used to make texts stand out and stick. A comical pun can also be used as a double-bottom line to wittily convey a deeper message. Sometimes puns contain a metaphor.
A pun can be used to make a good joke in a subtle way. Wordplay can also easily be perceived as lame. Wordplay that causes annoyance is best avoided.
No pun intended
The English translation of the term pun is wordplay or pun. When a wordplay is (supposedly) made unconsciously and not intended to be funny, the phrase "no pun intended" is also invoked in its defense.
